Saturday search for missing kayaker canceled

REELSVILLE -- The search for a local man missing since April 19 is stalled again as the high river level and strong currents prevent a safe search from taking place.

Reelsville fire chief John McPherson said he was forced to cancel the search for David Pritchett, 48, because the rain in Putnam County, as well as in surrounding areas, has made searching unsafe and too difficult for the department.

"Even if they would find anything, we're not going to be doing any diving or boat driving," McPherson said. "We'll search as soon as we can."

McPherson said the river level is currently at about 16 ft. high, and the currents are too strong for divers to search in the river. McPherson would like to take the cadaver dogs near the riverbanks, but even those are flooded to the point where a search would be difficult.

McPherson said the river level needs to get to about 7 ft. high for an exhaustive search to take place, which may happen next weekend.

Pritchett launched his kayak at 6:30 p.m. April 19 in a break between two storms. His family reported him missing around 10 p.m. that night.

It is unknown if the family is conducting their own search on Saturday regardless.